DECISION

To note the actions taken by officers over the course of the last 18 months in the provision of economic support.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Director of Integrated Growth and Development (V. Clark)

Reasons for Decision

To provide a detailed overview of our key activities in the local economy over the past year and a half.

Alternative Options

None.

Councillor Motin Uz-Zaman, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Work, Economic Growth and Faith introduced the report that set out what the Council had delivered to support the local economy over the course of the past 18 months since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic. He highlighted some of the key achievements included in the report, including:

·         Over 900 local people had been supported into work or better employment.

·         Over £200m distributed in grants and rate relief to more than 5,000 local businesses.

·         A 3-month rent relief programme, worth £98,210.

·         598 businesses benefitted from free, online, expert-led seminars.

·         200 small and micro businesses supported through Pivot Programmes.

·         The Council’s creative freelancer project supported 60 small businesses.

The Mayor noted that the Council’s Covid Recovery fund would provide additional benefits to the local economy beyond those captured in the report.

Officers announced that additional funding had been received from the Central London Forward partnership of around £700,000 and plans were being drawn up for how this could be used to help get more residents into work. 

The Mayor welcomed the report and emphasised the dramatic impact the Covid pandemic had had on the local economy. He moved the recommendations as set out and they were agreed without dissent. It was:

RESOLVED

1.    To note the actions taken by officers over the course of the last 18 months in the provision of economic support.